SEMO Releases 2009 Football Schedule

It's never too early to start talking college football.
The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks released their 2009 schedule this week.
SEMO opens the season Thursday September 3rd at 6:00 p.m. against NAIA opponent Quincy.
This game should be a good tune up for the regular season, although Tony Samuel's teams have had some real challenges in these type games in recent years.
Things will get a lot more difficult Saturday September 12th at Division I Cincinnati.
The Bearcats played in the Orange Bowl last season and ended the year ranked 17th in the nation.
The following Saturday SEMO starts it's Ohio Valley Conference schedule against Eastern Illinois.
Playing at home is always important and the Redhawks will look for any edge they can get against the always tough Panthers.
Next up a road game against a UT Martin ball club which has been one of the best in the OVC in recent years.
SEMO returns home for a match up with Austin Peay before playing two more road games at Tennessee Tech and Eastern Kentucky.
The Redhawks finish the year with three very interesting home games against Jacksonville State, Murray State and the season finale against Southern Illinois on November 21st.
I think the game against the Racers should be outstanding and it will also be very interesting to see how Southeast will hold up against the powerful Salukis.

Sizing up the Final Four

You can call it super Saturday in Detroit. The final four is about as interesting as it gets.
The first game matches a Michigan State team with a huge home court advantage against a UCONN team with the biggest player in the tournament.
The night cap should be just as good with red hot Villanova playing a North Carolina team led by Poplar Bluffs Tyler Hansbrough and considered the favorite to cut down the nets Monday night.
Speaking of Monday, that's when the Cardinals and most of the major league teams get into action for the first time. Despite the injury to Troy Glaus the Redbirds should have plenty of offense and some great young talent like former first round pick Colby Rasmus and David Freese. The big question mark is pitching? The key is Chris Carpenter and the bullpen. If Carpenter can healthy for a full season and the bullpen can rebound from a rough year in 2008, watch out for the Cardinals!